JACKSONVILLE, FL – Jacksonville Athletics announced a series of administrative promotions on Tuesday, reflecting an ongoing reorganization within the athletic administration.
“Who you surround yourself with is vital to the growth of our athletic department. These changes reflect our continual development to serve our student-athletes to the best of our ability”, said Senior Vice President and Athletic Director, Alex Ricker-Gilbert.
Rick Canter assumes the title of Associate Vice President/Deputy Athletic Director after serving as Chief Operating Officer for the department. Canter, who started at JU in June 2022, has streamlined multiple initiatives that have helped modernize the athletic department while overseeing several operational units within the athletic department. He serves as sports administrator for baseball and softball.
Dee Brown is elevated to Executive Senior Associate Athletic Director / University & Athletics Relations from Senior Associate AD / University & Athletics Relations. Brown, who serves as tri-chair of the FUTURE. MADE. campaign committee, has brought further cohesion to JU athletics while serving as liaison between the athletic department, the University, and its external stakeholders. He is the current sports administrator for women’s basketball, volleyball, and men’s and women’s golf.
Courtney Taybron has been promoted to Senior Associate Athletic Director/Sports Performance from Associate Athletic Director. Taybron, who also serves as Senior Woman Administrator, leads the department’s High-Performance Team (HPT), overseeing sports performance and sports medicine while also serving as the sports administrator of women’s soccer.
Katelyn Fischer has been elevated to Senior Associate Athletic Director/Administration from serving as Associate Athletic Director /Administration & Chief of Staff. Fischer has improved financial and operational efficiency since starting here in May ’23. She focuses on strategic planning, managing budgetary processes, and serving as sports administrator for women’s track and field, men’s and women’s cross country, and beach volleyball.
Erica Beal has been named Associate Athletic Director of Development/Associate Director of Major Gifts after serving as Assistant Athletic Director/Annual Giving and Events. In her new role, she will serve as the department’s major gift officer, connecting with donors, alumni, and fans to drive the progress and growth of JU athletics. As a former JU alumna and women’s lacrosse player herself, Beal has improved the department’s philanthropic giving and bolstering the annual Dolphin Dash week, which saw a record year of giving in 2024.
Kalista Gioglio has been promoted to Director of Administration from serving as Assistant Director of Administration/Special Assistant to the AD. Gioglio, who serves as SAAC advisor, has led administrative operations working directly with the Office of People and Culture. Gioglio will focus on strategic initiatives that will add further efficiency to operational processes.
